by Anthony O'Connor
Worth: $16.00
FilmInk rates movies out of $20 — the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worth
Intro:
… undeniably compelling, charming in its retro presentation and as addictive as a bag of crack wrapped in heroin.
It’s been observed before, usually by snarky reviewers, that there are in fact a metric shit-tonne of Warhammer games out there. In fact, scientists believe* that by 2047, Warhammer video games will outnumber humans three to one. The difference between now and when those observations started being made is: Warhammer games are getting pretty bloody good, man! Vermintide 2, Dark Tide, Space Marine 2, Rogue Trader, Mechanicus, Boltgun not to mention the upcoming Dark Heresy, Dawn of War IV and Total War: Warhammer 40K – it’s getting crazy out there. Well, now there’s another newbie to join the ranks, Warhammer Survivor and although it’s relatively humble in stature, you may find yourself losing hours of your life to this bloody thing.
Warhammer Survivors (like its papa, Vampire Survivors) is an old school looking rogue-lite shooter where you control a character from either the Warhammer 40K or Age of Sigmar universes, battling through endless waves of grotesque monsters while attempting to grow stronger and more deadly. The game could, honestly, be accused of being Vampire Survivors with a Warhammer skin, but Vampire Survivors rules and the Warhammer additions are excellent.
It’s not just cosmetic either, as some powers are quite meta with Nuln Oil (a famous contrast paint for the type of nerd who likes to paint little plastic men and/or monsters) being used as a deadly weapon. There are also levels set on hobbyist tables, which is delightful, as well as the expected ork strongholds and skaven nests.
The game comes to us from Auroch Digital who are responsible for the Boltgun games and these folks know, and clearly love, their Warhammer. There are so many nice little touches throughout that even the most casual of Warhammer fans will appreciate the nods and winks.
Is it simplistic? Hell, yes. You don’t have to press shoot in this thing, you just walk around auto-killing baddies and collecting skulls. But it’s undeniably compelling, charming in its retro presentation and as addictive as a bag of crack wrapped in heroin. Warhammer Survivors is the perfect game to unwind after a long day at work, when nothing will relax you more than the meaty squelch of a tyrannid’s brain beneath your battle scarred, ceramite boot.
*Possibly
